While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
A new safety ranking from WalletHub paints a stark picture for Chicago. Out of 182 U.S. cities, Chicago ranks 161st in overall safety.
For comparison, New York City ranks 117th. Los Angeles ranks 156th. Phoenix ranks 136th.
This poor ranking comes amid growing concerns about violent crime and transit safety. Despite repeated assurances from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson that the city is safe, these numbers tell a different story.
WalletHub evaluated each city on home and community safety, the risk of natural disaster and financial safety.
The only other Illinois municipality included in the ranking was Aurora, which ranked 33rd, much higher in the listing.
A few policies that Aurora employs to improve safety stand out when compared with Chicago. Using ShotSpotter, a service that Chicago once used but took down in 2024, Aurora police have “made 25 arrests, seized 22 firearms and recovered 749 shell casings from shootings.” Aurora police called technology like ShotSpotter “a force multiplier,” and in 2023 it was reported that 50% of the verified shootings on ShotSpotter were not otherwise reported.
Aurora has also invested in Community Oriented Policing, assigning dedicated officers and sergeants to proactively engage with residents, build trust, and strengthen connections between police and the community. Meanwhile, Chicago has invested less in its police force, slashing 2,103 public safety jobs while adding 184 administrators.
Through a Crime Free Multi-Housing program, Aurora works with landlords to set clear safety standards, conduct background checks and reduce crime in rental properties through proactive management and police partnerships.
In Chicago, background checks are not required and the landlord must allow time for dispute on criminal charges before denying the applicant.
Chicago’s slide toward the bottom of national rankings suggests the current approach isn’t working. The city should learn from Aurora’s strong performance and implement proven policies that prioritize safety.
